Change at the very top: High-tech entrepreneur Hasso Plattner increases his majority share of Sharks – Compton, Sclavos out

Just when we were finally getting to know a little more how Kevin Compton and Stratton Sclavos were running the franchise, there’s been a change at the top of the Sharks ownership group.

Compton and Sclavos are out, their shares of Sharks Sports & Entertainment purchased by the man who has been the majority shareholder since 2010, German high-tech entrepreneur Hasso Plattner. No word yet on why the change was made, only that it has been made and that it should not change eiher the business or hockey op sides of the franchise.

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More later but you can find the online story already posted at http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_22481279/san-jose-sharks-announce-ownership-change

*****One more thing. That first Anaheim goal did NOT go into the net off the skate of Douglas Murray. Don’t know what you may have thought you saw or heard elsewhere, but both Murray — who does own up to these things when they happen — and Antti Niemi said that Francois Beauchemin’s shot never hit the big defenseman.

David Pollak

David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.

On the goal, that was Randy and Drew’s call, initially. I didn’t notice if it was corrected later.

JonJonny

It’s cause Drew Remenda is the biggest homer announcer in the league and will never say anything negative about the Sharks. It did look that it went through Niemi, but Renenda went Off Murray’s skates, tough and the broadcast moved on. He can never say that Niemi was weak, always finds excuses.

ZEKE

I heard the call and it sure looked like, from the angle it went in, that it must have hit Murray. But I don’t recall seeing a slo-motion replay on it that confirmed it. Though I’m sure someone who Tivo’d the game can double check.

Buddy Elf

JonJonny: You would think as someone blasting Remenda for not getting the facts straight, you would have gotten your facts straight… Hahn made the call that it went off of Murray.

ZEKE… From the Sharks feed the angle sure makes it look like it went off Murray… I had a long explanation typed out for DP as to why it webt off Murray and figured I would go to the Ducks feed to double check… Sure enough, the slight change in angle shows it coming in through Niemi.

just a hockey fan

johjonny – drew is nothing compared to either pitsburg or buffalo’s annuncers. (although I must admit I haven’t had to suffer through eitehr one for a couple of years since I switched to gamecenter live). Not as good as the CBC guys, but not bad. I think they are pretty objective myself

just a hockey fan

boy I need to learn how to spell… sorry for the typo’s everyone.

ZEKE

Our 26 goals scored is 2nd best in the league — our 10 goals given up is also 2nd best in the league. Of course, NJ, with 9 goals given up has played 1 less game.

But the best early season stat is that we’re up by 5 points in the division — if we keep playing well, 5 points can be a lot of ground for another team to make up.

Snow Shovel

just a hockey fan – you are forgiven. Say three ‘our fathers’ and ‘three hail marys’ and you will be forgiven.

So, Jamison out several years ago and now Compton and Sclavos. It would be interesting to know all the juicy details.

Doug H

Niemi may have let in a softie, but he saved the game later in the period while our offense looked anemic, this allowed coutures flukey goal to tie the game. niemi has been fantastic for me.

ZEKE

Niemi does look much better this year. He also seems to have a mental toughness that went missing last year. Just get the sense that he is more confident in both himself and the players around him. Wouldn’t surprise me if Larry Robinson/Jim Johnson are a big part of that.

Robert

@ JonJonny –> seriously Drew has never talked bad about the Sharks ever? i’m pretty sure i’ve heard him talk bad about the Sharks play here and there over the years and use comments like “dumb” and “stupid”. plus this is the guy whom was willing to talk about Nabby’s meat with Randy so you have to give him some love for going there.

on a more serious note –> definitely love the wealth of changes thus far. not the best game last night but we came back and that’s important.

Tom (fm Quinzee)

A bit of incredulity – Beer League Rocks, you played a BEER LEAGUE game at the Tank? Must be pretty damn good beer…back in my beer league days, we played in an open-air, quonset hut rink. It cost $20/hour @ 11 p.m. The place was supposed to shut down at midnight, but we paid the caretaker an extra $20 and got an extra hour – he kept the $20 for himself, but wouldn’t run the Zamboni for us to have a clean sheet. Middle of January in Boston, we were playing in single-digit temps.

Geez, you young guys have it so easy.

Dang, do I sound old or what? Probably because I am.

And I gotta look at another replay – maybe I was tired last night, but I swear that puck to a hard left at Murray’s skate.

JB

It does seem odd that the two owners who were the public face of the ownership group chose to cash out.

Tom (fm Quinzee)

And Long Time, I don’t know if Compton & Sclavos are taking the fall for the lockout, but if Greiss suddenly is named the #1 goalie, I’ll be very suspicious.

JB

Zeke, it seems to me this whole team is a little more confident and focused than last year. The coaching staff additions may certainly play a role in that but I suspect roster stability has too. There were few changes compared to recent seasons, ignoring those necessitated by injuries on defense which were not by choice. The message to players is that the players needed to win are already here but need to play better, more to their potential as individual and a group. The message to the players expresses both expectation of better results and the confidence that they can achieve them.

Tom (fm Quinzee)

And DP, “…One me thing” If you meant “One more thing,” forgive us our typos, as we forgive those who typo against us, for thine is the kingdom and the power play, and the blog, for ever and ever, amen.

Buddy Elf

ZEKE: I think it has more to do with being a year and a half removed from his surgery.

Old Time Hockey Fan

In a weird way last night might have been our best win.
To play the way we did , vs. a team as good as the ducks…
It shows this sharks team can win even on off nights.
In hockey…you beat the opponent or beat them up.
The good teams do BOTH

DUCKS Suck
GO SHARKS!!

David Pollak

Tom (fm Quinzee),

Fixed. Thanks.

David

Stevo

Fewer investors/owners does not always equal a more stable financial configuration.

Here’s to hoping Mr. Plattner’s finances/investments don’t go the way of Mr. Balsillie’s.

Tom (fm Quinzee)

DP, any idea if this is a vote of confidence for Doug Wilson, or a promotion, or only that he’s keeping the job he’s had? Just wondering. I like the job DW’s done, for the record.

And on DW and the subject of hockey, I agree w/ Buddy & Zeke about Nemo’s play, and the whole team’s. But I also think DW has made himself clear about, how to put it, the lack of response when the Blues “took liberties” at the end of Game 2 (I think it was G2) last year. The matter of “attitude,” for lack of a better term, seems to have been addressed. This team, so far, plays with that type of toughness one sees in teams that get to the SCFs.

icehawkey

This is huge news. Better be lot more info coming. Why were they bought out? In a serious hockey market the team would have a press conference and an official statement and be answering lots of questions. WTF? Everyone here is ignoring it. This us an ownership shakeup! What is the new plan? Why were Compton and Slavish bought out? Were they forced out? Is there turmoil in the group? Did somebody fo something bad? I’d there anyone left in the group that knows about or even cares about hockey? Do any Sharks fans give a crap about the actual organization or shall we just get back to discussing how Patty must be using deer antler foray because he suddenly has the balls to get forty and give a consistent effort?

gbs417

It’s hard for me to GAS about the owners this early after the lockout…but hey, maybe this new guy will make me miss the last few.

Stevo

Don’t worry about losing the public faces/image of the organization… Mr. Plattner is hiring GP, Buddy Elf and yours truly to manufacture all of the propaganda and spin the the Sharks.

Mr. Pollak, we’d like to meet with you at your earliest convenience. You have my email.

Stevo

Icehawkey,

Because I care, I suggest you switch to decaf.

Buddy Elf

The ownership group is pretty milquetoast, if you ask me.

Stevo

Well, Mr. Plattner is very passionate about sports. Very competitive. In the mold of Eddie DeBartolo and Mark Cuban, but likely more sophisticated. More responsible.

- we find he donates very large sums of money to help those with AIDS/HIV in South Africa.. and he competes strenuously against Larry Ellison in the yacht racing world.

Hey, if he don’t like Larry E.. he’s okay with me

Stevo

Tom (in the Q) wrote:

And Long Time, I don’t know if Compton & Sclavos are taking the fall for the lockout, but if Greiss suddenly is named the #1 goalie, I’ll be very suspicious.

As I was readong Mr. Pollak’s post, I thought the same thing too.

Maybe Marco Sturm and Christian Ehrhoff are on their way to San Jose.

JB

Yeah Icehawky, take a breath. The change is hardly seismic. Plattner has just increased his stake in the team, but he was part of the group before, as majority shareholder as DP reported.
Perhaps a key element is the last line of DP’s article, that Plattner will now represent the team on the NHL Board of Governers.

MLBSF1

Well I absolutely couldn’t agree more Icehawkey.

I’m only surprised it took this long and there weren’t resignations after that disgraceful train wreck of a season last year. The Sharks have been the biggest chokers in all of the NHL for half a decade or so. The blame has to start at the top.

Also, I’m sure the ridiculous 16 oz free soda reward campaign to get fans back at HP Pavilion, as well as season ticket holders screaming about being ignored, were the final straw.

What a mess.

Beer League Rocks

Tom (fm Quinzee), The adult league is at Sharks Ice, but over the last 9 years I’ve played 3 games at the Tank. They think it is a reward for us, and it is cool to play there, but the ice sucks and they don’t turn on the main lights for us, so it’s kinda dark. If they turned on the lights they would have to turn on the AC as well, and although they are trying to do something nice for us, they don’t want it to cost them to much. As to cost of ice time, I think sharks ice charges over $300 an hour, not exactly sure how much. And some sticks cost $300. I think when I was a kid they ranged from $5 to $12. How times have changed….

Trickyskates

Not sure I buy that the sodas got ownership canned.

W.r.t the lack of media noise about the change, it’s early. Heck, DP already told us it screwed up his day off.

and +1 that we’re rather have current ownership than Larry E.

On the hockey front, Todd reminded that they’ve got more quality D men out of the lineup than most clubs have on the team… and here’s hoping that Gomez and Havlat have great years with great wizardry.

MikeR

“… What a mess.”

He’s been the majority share-holder since 2010. If things were a mess, its because that’s the way Plattner wanted them.

Beer League Rocks

Stevo, from last night. I said that all 3 first line guys had continued their scoring streaks, but meant to say point streaks. You caught it, but I didn’t. Sorry.

Penny

Wonder if Compton and Sclavos wanted out because they weren’t happy about losing money because Bettman and a handful of hard line owners were forcing the others to go along with the lockout.

Simonvine

Compton and Sclavos will be investing elsewhere. They likely sold to buy into something else. These guys have so much money they have to play with it somewhere.

Linkster

Well, SS&E sold the ATP / SAP Open to Memphis (starting 2014) so maybe that’s how Plattner came up with extra cash for Compton and Sclavos? Possibly even for Jamison.

I’m guessing the new CBA — and the arrival of the 49ers — changes the long-term financial picture for the Sharks and for HP Pavillion events.

Considering the money Compton and Sclavos have already injected since 2002 via annual cash calls, maybe the organization’s future expectations simply led them to negotiate an exit plan.

ZEKE

Contracts expiring (UFA) after this season are Clowe, Handzus, Murray, Gomez and Greiss.

The only guys who are likely to see their pay go up are Greiss and Gomez. No one will ever pay Gomez a lot and no one is going to hand Greiss the starting job in goal — so neither guy gets big $$.

Clowe probably takes the biggest pay cut — he hasn’t been right since he got hit vs Det in 2011 playoffs. Murray remains an asset because few guys can dish it out like Crankshaft, and every team needs a guy who turns the other team’s players black and blue . But his speed limits him to 3rd d-pair minutes.

At the right price, Clowe, Murray and Greiss are most interesting to bring back. Though I think Clowe will want too much, he’ll be a 3rd and 4th line guy all too soon. Jury is out for me on Gomez, I think Zeus is probably too risky to retain. His performance last year was just scary.

Desjardins, Galiardi, Sheppard, Demers and Irwin are among the RFA’s. McLaren and Petrecki, too.

Of the RFA group, on Desijardens and Demers are guys I know I’d like to keep. Probably Irwin, but 6 games in I’m not ready to jump on board.

CMoreSharks

(From previous thread)
As I went to bed last night, I was happy for the win, but disappointed that we struggled so much against the Ducks.

But when I woke up this morning, I realized that we just played a game with half our starting defense out, including 2 out of the top 4 (Boyle, Burns… with Vlasic and Stuart rounding out the top 4). One third of our defense had 5 total NHL games played between the two of them. Not many teams would expect to win with half their defense gone.

With dawn broke the realization that just maybe we’re actually winning through a period of adversity, and that the defensive depth that has been talked about is legit. Well done boys!

OK, so rah-rah, but I’d still like to see improvement against Edmonton…

Teejay

Who in heck is Hasso Plattner? And where did he come from?

CMoreSharks

“…German high-tech entrepreneur Hasso Plattner. No word yet on why the change was made, only that it has been made and that it should not change eiher the business or hockey op sides of the franchise.”

Sure, but don’t you think the odds of Greiss getting more starts went up just a little bit?

wheelz

Zeke,

I wouldn’t doubt clowes value. The guy is proven play maker and protecter of his team mates. He may not be putting the puck in the net, but i think the management group knows better than to let a powerforward like that go. The production from clowe will come soon enough.

JLofty

Okay well last night seems to have decidedly demonstrated where the Dman on IR not dressing threshold is. The kids had looked pretty good first 5 games I thought. But last night was shaky to put it nicely.
Thankfully Stuart was still around but bad night for Pickles and the Angry Swede to have puck handling jitters.
Get better Danny, (and Bruce and Jason, and am I missing anyone….?)
Way to pull it out of the keister at the end too! Nemo!

Uncle Slavko

Zeke,
Good assement on the UFA’s and RFA’s. However, Handzus is off to a good start, so don of kids in the sye a whole lot’t rule out a return to the 4th line for another year as the Sharks don’t have a lot of kids in the system to bring up.

MILFBS: Is your husband gone for the night? Always something to bitch about….Jeez!

Uncle Slavko

Damn computer board….

so don’t rule out a return to the 4th line for another year for Handzus as the Sharks don’t have a lot of kids in the system to bring up.”

Stevo

I agree with Uncle Slavko on Zeus’ future with Sharks, though if the right deal came up, I guess they could certainly trade him. I expect he and Galiardi will make folks here happier this season.

Also, Uncle Slavko & MikeR;

Please, Please, Please- do not feed the troll.

Please… just skip over his posts. WTC will be a much better place that way.

Stevo

Re the cashing out of Compton and Sclavos, perhaps they were considering taxation issues.

Stevo

#35 – No worries, BLR. I can’t remember what happened 5 hours ago

Buddy Elf

Nice to see the Hawks lose, even if it is in overtime… Plus, Sito got a point